Don’t overlook those thrift store or unwanted cushioned chairs or benches – the uglier the better! Let me show you how to sew a chair cushion slipcover to cover any undesirable upholstered chair or bench seat.
The first step is to rip an edge of your fabric so you get it on grain. Especially important if you are also using drop cloth like I did. Discard this piece you ripped off.
Next you will rip a piece to make the piping. Now generally, you use a bias cut piece for piping. Make a small slit about 2-2.5 inches from the edge, and rip all the way down.
If you are doing ruffles or pleats, you will also need to rip a piece for that. Figure out how long you want your ruffle/pleat to be, add 1.5 inch for the hem and seam allowance and rip another piece.
Put those aside for now and cut a piece of fabric to cover the chair cushion. Cut it the shape of your cushion and don’t worry about the corners for now.